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Hub Staff

Once again Saugeen Shores will emanate a warm purple glow as it moves through the month of August. Brilliant bows will adorn houses in support of a young girl who has captured the hearts of many. Olivia Little, age 10, is one of only 75 people with a rare disease called Cystinosis. Olivia’s parents and co-founders of the Liv-A-Little Foundation, Erin and Chad Little, started the Paint the Town Purple campaign six years ago to the Cystinosis Research Foundation (CRF) find a cure for the disease.

As human clinical trials continue, this dream is beginning to become a reality. CRF announced earlier this month that a second patient has begun gene therapy treatment developed by lead researcher Stephanie Cherqui. The first patient to start the trial, Jordan Janz, has been showing promising results as his body recovers without the regimented cysteamine treatments that all Cystinosis patients use to prolong the debilitating effects of the disease.

In light of COVID-19, the Littles have decided to donate 25 percent of their profits to the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF), recognizing the strain that the pandemic has put on the community organization. The SMHF donation will be matched, in part, by Jeff Carver and The Wismer House, Three Sheets Brewing.

This year the bows will be made by Erin Little and sold throughout the month of August at Re:mind Wellness in Southampton and K Interiors and Cathy’s Flowers ‘N Treasures in Port Elgin.